Introductory mini-lesson:
1. View introductory video that explains the GYS
2. Have students write a short paragraph about a time when they felt left out. Post it to the GYS blog
3. Show video of The Kindness Quilt being read by Mrs. Malone; have class discussion about the need to demonstrate kindness to all people (Both videos are on the T drive in the Global Youth Summit folder.)

Other ideas: (The numbers at the end are the 5th grade standards addressed, but other grade levels have similar standards, especially with ELA.)

ELA:
  • Shared reading of books from the suggested list
  • Use the selected books to teach characterization, story elements and theme (5-1.1, 5-1.4,5-1-7, 5.1-9)
  • Use blogs for students to write responses to the books and to share their ideas about acceptance of diversity.
  • Write book reviews of books from our list (5-5.1)
  • View pictures (nonprint informational text) from Special Olympics: discuss central idea, make inferences, create a response by drawing or writing a poem (5-2.1, 5-2.2, 5-2.4, 5-1.10)

Social Studies:
  • Google Earth geography lesson mapping out participating countries. (5-6.1)
  • Research/discuss relationship of these countries to the U.S., differences in culture, impact of changing technologies(5-6.3)
  • Time Zones

Math: Create an Excel spreadsheet/graph about participants, countries, outcomes (5.3-2, 5.3.5, ELA 5-2.4)